Modern photoelectric and photochemical methods of solar power conversion

A wider use of solar energy for electricity production and photocatalysis necessitates new efficient and low-cost materials. This paper reviews the principles of photoelectric solar power conversion and presents recent advances in the field of organic and hybrid solar cells: polymer-fullerene, polymer, low-molecular, dyesynthesized, etc. Approaches to enhancing the efficiency of organic solar cells are analyzed. Requirements for the development of new efficient materials for photovoltaics and photocatalysis are formulated. Examples of photocatalytic systems active under illumination with visible light are given.